Frequently Asked Questions: Spring Bird Feeding Edition

Spring fever has officially set in, and we are beyond ready for spring & summer birding after what felt like the longest winter ever. To help you prepare for this busy and exciting season of backyard birding, we have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions along with our answers that include tips, tricks, bird facts, and product recommendations - all in one convenient blog! 

Baltimore Oriole feeding on oranges

1) When should I put my oriole feeders out?
The urge to put my oriole feeders out is real as soon as we get a hint of warm weather, but I know I have to wait a little while longer before these beauties show up in my yard again. Orioles spend their winters in some parts of Florida, the Caribbean, and Central & South America. They begin their journey to their breeding grounds in April, and typically arrive in Southern and Eastern Ontario the first week of May. It's recommended to hang your feeders mid to late April in case of early arrivals. When orioles return, they will feed on nearly anything available at feeders including suet, sunflower chips, peanut pieces, mealworms, orange halves, BirdBerry Jelly, and nectar (see recipe below). As the season progresses, orioles focus on feeding mainly on insects and BirdBerry Jelly. Be sure to maintain a strict cleaning schedule as with all feeders, but more so with oriole feeders as they can get very sticky and mold easily from the sugars in oranges and jelly (see below for cleaning instructions). 

2) How do I stop grackles, starlings, and blackbirds from emptying my feeders?
These birds are lovely in their own right, though they may not seem it when they are emptying your feeders right before your eyes. The tenacity of these birds (especially in large flocks) can sometimes make them overwhelming feeder guests for other birds, driving them away from feeders until the flock dissipates. Here are some tips for you if you are looking to exclude or slow down grackles, starlings, and blackbirds at your feeders:

• Opt to offer their least desired foods such as safflower seed, nyjer seed or Finch Blend, and Simply Suet. These foods more difficult for them to eat offering little to no value, which drives them away from feeders. Safflower is the best option for feeding a wide variety of birds while deterring blackbirds. It is a smaller sized seed with a tough shell and a bitter taste. The shell is difficult for blackbirds, grackles, and starlings to crack open so they'll typically give up on it quickly. Safflower is a little different from sunflower seeds and can take some time for birds to grow accustomed to it. If you've never offered it in your yard before, we recommend mixing it into your usual seed mix and gradually offering more until straight safflower is being offered. It can also be offered in a convenient and long lasting seed cylinder.
  
  
• Slow them down using less blackbird-friendly feeders like the Eliminator or Squirrel Buster Suet, or exclude them entirely using finch feeders, feeder cages & guards, and our Starling Proof Suet Feeder.
  
  For more solutions and in-depth information on our feeder options, visit our Problem Solving page. 

House Finch with House Finch Eye Disease

3) How often should I clean my feeders?
Since birds don't practice social distancing, and can't wear masks or use hand sanitizer, it's up to us to make sure our bird feeding equipment doesn't become the source of an outbreak. Be sure to clean and sanitize your feeders once per month at the very least, and immediately after seeing a possibly unhealthy bird visit your feeding station, or if there has been particularly wet weather (can cause seed to mold and spoil quickly). Some illnesses like House Finch Eye Disease and Avian Pox can be quite noticeable in birds with symptoms like laboured breathing, visible sores or wart-like bumps, or trouble eating, but some aren't apparent so it's best to keep a tight cleaning schedule just to be safe. To properly disinfect feeders and baths, follow these steps:

• First you will need to thoroughly clean your feeders with a brush to remove any visible dirt or mold. Once you are finished the initial cleaning, submerge the feeders in a 10% bleach solution for a minimum of 10 minutes, this acts as a disinfectant and also helps to loosen any grime build-up; scrub feeders again with brush & rinse thoroughly for at least 15 seconds in warm water. For in-depth cleaning instructions, click here. 

4) What should I do if I see a sick bird at my feeders?
If you have noticed a bird in your yard who has any symptoms of illness including laboured breathing, visible sores or wart-like bumps, difficulty eating, difficulty flying or walking, puffed appearance, swollen or crusty eyes, or just appears to be "off", it is time to take action in your yard to mitigate the potential spread of an illness. Here are the steps to take when a sick bird is at your feeders:

• If you are able to approach and capture the bird, do so and place in a well-ventilated box. Place the box in a dark and quite room. Do not give the bird food or water at this time. Sick or injured birds can easily aspirate. Contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitation facility immediately. For a list of facilities in Ontario, click here. 
  
  
• Take down all feeders and birdbaths and discard remaining food immediately - even if you didn't see the bird at your feeders.
  
  
• Many illnesses are contracted through bird-to-bird contact, or through contaminated surfaces. Because of this, it is extremely important to thoroughly clean and disinfect all feeders, birdbaths, and feeding equipment. (see above for instructions)
  
  
• It is important to discontinue use of all feeders and birdbaths for a minimum of two weeks to help discourage birds coming to your yard and further spreading the illness. Some bacteria such as salmonella can survive in wet and warm areas for months. When the quarantine period is over and your feeders are back up, be sure to keep a close eye on the birds visiting them. If there is any sign of illness, repeat the process above and keep feeders down for a longer period of time.

Baltimore Oriole collecting WBU Nest Building Material

5) What can I offer the birds for nesting material?
If you want to help the birds out this season by providing nesting material, be sure to use safe & natural options including any of the following: WBU Nest Building Material, Hummer Helper Nesting Material, twigs, moss, mud, grass clippings, and non-chemically treated pet fur. Avoid offering materials such as yarn, string, tinsel or cellophane, dryer lint, human hair, or chemically treated pet fur, as many of these can not only cause harm to the birds themselves, but to the environment as well.

6) Can I make hummingbird nectar at home?
Absolutely! There are several varieties of hummingbird nectar available commercially, and unfortunately, not all are safe for hummingbirds to consume due to red dyes and other additives. Because of this, making nectar at home is safest option. If you would rather purchase Here is our easy DIY hummingbird (and oriole) nectar recipe:

• Add 4 parts boiled water to 1 part white table sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool before filling feeder. Nectar can be stored in the fridge for one week. It is important to use only white table sugar (no substitutes; brown sugar, organic sugar, etc) as this is what is most similar to sugars found in natural nectar. 
  
  
• Reminder: In extreme heat it is very important to remember to change your hummingbird nectar and clean your feeders daily to avoid mold growth. Hummingbirds are highly susceptible to illness from mold spores and fermented nectar, which can cause tongue swelling that ultimately leads to death by starvation. Hummingbird feeders should be inspected and cleaned every time the solution is changed, even if there is no visible mold or build up on the feeder. The same caution should be taken with oriole nectar feeders.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Have a question that wasn't answered in this blog? Message us on Facebook and we'll help as best we can! 

Happy trails!

- Shayna